When a fight with two escalates into a vicious beating by six, his life is changed forever. As he pieces together what happened, desire for justice becomes thirst for violence — and victim becomes perpetrator.

Most helpful customer reviews

After reading "Defenseless" I was shocked and excited to find out that this first-person narrative was Peter Wilsons first published novel. The novel portrayed the conscious desire for revenge with creative and refreshing references to pop-culture throughout. The novel is written in such a way that it is hard to put down. The unique writing style really encapsulates one into the novel. As a reader you feel as though you are temporarily put in the shoes of the protagonist. The descriptive scenes are filled with detail and in doing so keeps the reader on its toes while having them flipping each page with anticipation as to what path will be taken next. I found the novel realistic and credible as the author was in a similar situation. The thirst for revenge is obvious but the lessons learned through ones morals and values are valuable for all. This short novel is a perfect example of an up and coming young author who is showing great potential at the early stages of his career. I highly recommend this novel to all book lovers and individuals who appreciate a quick yet inspirational read. I look forward to future work from this young author.

If you are engaged by first-person narrative and stream of consciousness writing you will find this book enjoyable. Defenseless pulls the reader through the true nature of a desire for revenge with doses of morality at every turn. There are a lot of observations or 'thoughts' about current society which will make the reader think. The short novel is the perfect story for a short road trip or long weekend. The book can be explicit at times so it is not for the faint of heart. The story can be a bit disjointed and leave the reader wanting more detail but the pop culture references are a treat. There is a lot of play with states of consciousness and dreams which can lead the reader to question the reliability of the narrator, adding a level of intrigue to the descriptive tone. There is a definite style to this book which makes it unique. The emotions are so palpable you can feel it is semi-autobiographical which leads to its impact. Defenseless is a good effort by a young first time novelist and I will be interested to see what this author comes up with in the future.

Consequences. Consequences are the result of the constant battle between your inner most thoughts, and that of which your heart desires. Wilson's novel, doesn't try to hide the struggles of ones own mind, and we understand the reality of allowing your mental state - one of which is revenge, to engulf everything that you are and stand for. I really enjoyed this novel, and related to the reality of what it stood for. Wilson took me on an emotional adventure with this short read, I chuckled, was sad, and inevitably felt enraged as the main character struggled to balance life, and dreams.

Wilson’s debut novel is an addictive one. It's perfect for an entertaining weekend or cottage read, with a writing pace and style that make it very hard to put down. Something highly notable about Wilson’s writing is his unique creativity. The story alternates between reality and imaginative dream sequences, and carefully placed pop culture references allow for vivid imagery. I would recommend this novel in a heartbeat - a truly refreshing and well written work.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)

Amazon.com:
2 reviews

Raw EmotionAug. 29 2012

By
anna
- Published on Amazon.com

Format: Paperback

I have no hesitation in recommending this book to anyone on the hunt for an entertaining read. Wilson captures your attention with his clever and fast paced writing. Though you get drawn deeply into the violence, there's more to it than that - the story makes you reflect on the angst and decisions involved with inner conflict, and the struggles between doing what you feel vs. what you know and have been taught to do. The emotion was brutally honest. I was extremely impressed with this young writer's first work and look forward to what he gives us next.

Wilson Opens Doors in First Published WorkJuly 30 2012

By
George
- Published on Amazon.com

Format: Paperback

A moving tribute to any victim of violence, Wilson employs an emotional yet thoughtful writing style which, coupled with rich literary and film allusions, creates accessibility for the less experienced Gen-Y reader, bridging the gap between North American popular culture and literature unlike any before him. Relevant, thought-provoking, and undoubtedly memorable.